FDNY, DOMINO’S AND THE AMERICAN DAIRY ASSOCIATION
REMIND NEW YORKERS TO CHANGE THE BATTERIES IN THEIR
SMOKE ALARMS WHEN THEY CHANGE THEIR CLOCKS THIS
WEEKEND

70% of fire-related deaths occur in homes that are not equipped with a working smoke alarm

The FDNY, along with Domino’s Pizza and the American Dairy Association, will be at the Hilton in Times Square, 234 West 42nd Street, 11 a.m. on Friday, October 30, reminding New Yorkers to change the batteries in their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors when they change their clocks this weekend for the end of Daylight Saving Time.

“The message is loud and clear; having a working smoke alarm in your home is the best way to protect yourself and your family from a fire,” said Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta. “Every New Yorker should take the time this weekend to check their smoke alarm, and if they don’t have a smoke alarm they need to purchase one. It can be the difference between life and death.”

The FDNY and the FDNY Foundation, in partnership with the Hilton in Times Square, organized the event as part of the New York City Fire Department’s campaign reminding New Yorkers to change their batteries when they change their clocks. Members of the FDNY Fire Safety Education unit will be giving fire safety tips to 50 children from the Sacred Heart of Jesus School and distributing smoke alarms, batteries, and literature on how to prevent fires in the home. The FDNY mascot, “Hot Dog the Fire Safety Dog,” will also be elevated by a tower ladder to change the clock above the Hilton entrance. Domino’s Pizza will have “American Legends” look-alikes on hand and will be giving away free Domino’s American Legends pizza as part of their partnership with this year’s event.

“Throughout the month of November, Domino’s will not only deliver pizza, but we will also deliver support for fire safety,” said Rob Cookston, Dominos’ Franchisee. “To honor our local legends at the FDNY, Domino’s will donate one dollar to the FDNY Foundation for every America Legends pizza ordered from one of our 19 Manhattan store locations.” This endeavor is expected to yield a $40,000 donation to the FDNY Foundation by Domino’s and the American Dairy Association.

The FDNY Fire Safety Education Unit has held over 4,200 fire safety presentations educating approximately 387,000 New Yorkers in 2009. At these events, they have distributed nearly 4,000 smoke alarms and 62,000 batteries, with an additional 40,000 batteries to be distributed by the end of the year.

WHO:

Chief of Department Salvatore Cassano, members of the FDNY Fire Safety Education Unit, representatives from the FDNY Foundation, American Dairy Association PR Specialist Brenda Beltram, representatives from Domino’s Pizza, students from the Sacred Heart of Jesus School

WHERE:

Hilton in Times Square – 234 West 42nd Street between 7th and 8th Avenues

WHEN:

Friday, October 30, 2009 – 11 a.m.

***Photo-Op***

Below, please find additional locations and times the FDNY will be distributing batteries and fire safety information throughout the weekend.